by Edie Baylis
The anger over what she’d said to Shelley immediately reignited in his mind and he briskly crossed the road. Fuck it. He was going to tell her what he thought of her. It was about time she learnt to stop trying to poison people’s minds.
“Natalie!” Ben shouted.
Natalie turned around and seeing it was Ben, sighed. The last person she wanted to speak to. “Hello Ben.”
“Oh, bothering to acknowledge me now are you?”
Natalie continued walking. She didn’t want a row and could see he was drunk and in an argumentative mood.
Catching up, Ben grabbed her arm roughly. “Didn’t anyone tell you it’s rude to ignore people? But then you don’t seem to have a problem being rude about anyone do you?”
Natalie stopped and turned to face Ben, pulling her arm away from his grasp. “Ben, I’ve no idea what’s happened to you, but you need to sort it out,” she snapped.
Ben’s eyes narrowed with rage. “Oh what and you’re the judge of that are you? Who do you think you are? Trying to stick your big fucking nose into mine and Shelley’s relationship?”
“What relationship, Ben? The only one you seem to have is with a bottle isn’t it?” Natalie snarled. “Shelley needs to wise up about you before it’s too late!”
“And you’re going to make sure of that are you?” Ben hissed, his eyes bright with suppressed rage.
Natalie laughed derisively and shook her head. “She’ll work that out for herself. Now get lost!”
As Natalie hurried up the road, Ben was left swaying on the pavement fuming with outrage. Without a second to spare, he launched himself after her, unable to see anything but the blind malice which had descended over him like a shutter.
Dragging Natalie by the back of the neck into a deep recessed shop doorway, he slammed her against the glass. “You fucking bitch! You jealous, evil fucking bitch!” he raged.
“Get the fuck off me!” Natalie screamed.
Ben grasped at Natalie’s top, ripping it apart and exposing her breasts. “Bloody hell! You’ve got tits! There was me thinking all this time you were a bloke! Yet what a fine pair these are to be wasted on something with such a pig-ugly face!” he spat, squeezing her breasts hard.
Natalie was frozen to the spot, unable to comprehend or register what was going on. She tried to scream out, to shout anything which might get someone’s attention, but nothing came from her mouth. Realising that she was in over her head, she began to cry.
“Shut up, you hideous cow!” Ben growled and spun her around, crushing her face into the plate glass window of the shop. “Don’t want to look at your mug. It’ll put me off.” Knowing he was already rigid he unzipped his jeans. “Surprised I can get it up looking at you,” he chuckled.
A muffled sob escaped from Natalie’s mouth as her face was squashed further into the window. She tried to separate her mind from reality feeling the burning pain between her legs as Ben forced himself into her.
“Dry as a bone,” Ben snarled. “Hardly surprising as you only like women don’t you, you fucking dyke!”
He began slamming into Natalie viciously. Parting her buttocks, he forced his fingers into her. “Hope you don’t shit on my hand, bitch.”
Natalie sobbed openly as she was bent further over. Completely pinned and crushed by Ben she could do nothing. Nothing at all.
“Trying to make Shelley dump me so you can have me are you?” Ben whispered, biting down hard on her earlobe.
Removing his fingers and pumping mercilessly faster with his cock, his hand snaked around, groping between her legs. “I know your type, Natalie. Always want what’s someone else’s and I can tell you’re enjoying getting off with me aren’t you, you two-faced slag!”
Natalie let out a strangulated cry, feeling Ben rub rhythmically against her clitoris, his touch immediately eliciting sensations she didn’t want. “No!” she cried, feeling vomit rise from her stomach. No, she wouldn’t. The insult of it was too much to bear.
“Yes that’s right, you ugly bitch,” Ben snarled, his arousal deepening, knowing he was forcing Natalie’s body to betray her. He upped the pace of his thumb circling her hard nub, his cock pressing into her relentlessly.
“No, no!” Natalie wailed, tears coursing down her face, a thin stream of bile running down her chin.
“You cunt,” Ben whispered. “I’m going to make you come for me. Make you come hard. Show you what you’re fucking missing. Then you’re going to leave both me and Shelley the fuck alone.”
Natalie pointlessly tried to free her hands from Ben’s grasp as the speed of his pounding hips grew frantic, but they were still twisted painfully behind her back, his weight crushing them further into her spine.
She tried fruitlessly once more to move her body away from both his cock and his fingers, but she was held fast and her pointless struggles only accentuated the sensations she was trying to fight. Oh God, she couldn’t stop it. It was building regardless of what she wanted. No...
The orgasm quickly rose from Natalie’s core, her breathing becoming shallow regardless of what her brain was telling her and a treacherous loud moan of need escaped from her mouth. How the hell would she get over this?
Ben smiled, feeling Natalie’s legs shaking as the powerful climax coursed through her body, happy he’d brought her off in time, because he was going to come any second himself. “Don’t get pregnant now will you, bitch. You know how potent my swimmers are.”
FORTY
DAN SAT IN THE ROOM adjoining Bill’s office and attempted to read the paper. To say he was thoroughly pissed off was an understatement. He’d just been dropping off around midnight when Jim had hammered on his door. They needed a lift to the club. Immediately.
By ‘they,’ Jim was referring to himself and presumably the large psychotic-looking stranger who was apparently also staying at his house for an unknown length of time.
Judging by the stares the massive bloke had been giving him, he’d felt it had not been quite the right time to question why he needed to stay and for how long. Instead he’d muttered something about being tired and hurried off to his bedroom, leaving them to continue drinking the contents of the fridge which he’d freshly stocked up with beer earlier. So to say he’d had a crap night didn’t do it justice.
After reluctantly taking both men back to the club, Dan had been just about to turn the van around and head home when Jim informed him his presence was also required.
For a split second Dan had been placated from the whole chain of events by thinking he would perhaps be properly involved in something for once, but this notion had been rudely removed.
Once in Bill’s office he’d been instructed to wait next door until summoned. And yes, the word ‘summoned’ was actually used.
Dan grated his teeth again in annoyance. He was sick of being treated like a dweeb. This ogre of a bloke shows up and gets treated with respect, but not him. Oh no, not him and he was sick of it. He glanced at his watch and rolled his eyes. How long was this going to go on for?
Suddenly his ears pricked up hearing the door to Bill’s office open and then shut, followed by Bill’s voice.
“Ah Charlie! Come in, man.”
Dan grimaced. So he was back again was he? A horrible thought rushed through his head. He hoped to God they weren’t expecting him to put Charlie up again. He wasn’t having it. Bill or no Bill. First Jim, then Charlie and then that Digger bloke and now Charlie again. No, no, NO!
BILL SMILED EASILY as he beckoned Charlie to sit down in front of him. “So... How did it all go? To plan I hope?”
Charlie felt sick. It hadn’t gone to plan at all. At least not as far as he was concerned.
He’d done what had been asked and it had been simple to torch Crystals. The flames had caught surprisingly quickly and it hadn’t taken long for the building to become a raging torrent of fire. What hadn’t been part of the plan was for the girls to have been in there.
“The girls were there,” Charlie muttered, his skin covered
with a clammy film of perspiration. The smell of the burning flesh and screams of the women as they’d tried and failed to escape from the burning building was ingrained in his mind. He was pretty sure it would remain there permanently.
“Oh well,” Bill said cheerfully as he poured Charlie a whisky. “Can’t be helped.”
Can’t be helped? Charlie stared at Bill and his eyes flicked towards Jim and another big man lounging in chairs positioned worryingly behind him. “I thought the girls weren’t going to be there?”
A flash of irritation coloured Bill’s expression. How dare this prick question his judgement. “The intelligence we received said it was clear. If that changed in the interim that’s not our concern.”
“But...”
“Is the place burnt out?” Bill snapped.
Charlie nodded. “It took hold completely and I would guess be inaccessible for anyone to get in. Or out.”
“Good, good,” Bill smiled. “You look stressed, Charlie. Is there something wrong?”
Charlie looked up. Wrong? Of course there was something wrong. It wasn’t Bill’s hands the demise of all those girls was on was it? It was his. And Eliza. She was staying there. Had she burnt alive too? As much as she irritated the fuck out of him, he hadn’t wanted to kill her. To kill any of them.
Charlie hesitated. “I suppose I feel kind of bad.”
Bill chuckled to himself. “Aw. That’s quite sweet isn’t it lads?” he glanced at Jim and Digger. “You never know, they may have escaped in the end.”
Charlie nodded mechanically, knowing full well there was no chance of any of those women getting out. He’d seen several standing at the window, desperately trying to open the broken old sashes, the orange flames illuminating the room and licking around them.
He’d probably have remained rooted to the spot, watching with grotesque morbid fascination and abject horror until the whole lot had turned into dust had it not been for the sound of sirens approaching in the distance.
“Well,” Bill said, clapping his hands together. “It sounds like a job well done.”
Charlie nodded mutely. He just wanted to go home. Except he didn’t have one anymore. “So where do I go now?”
“You remain here,” Bill said, his eyes glinting.
Charlie had seen that look before. Several times. A small glimmer of fear began to flutter. “Is there a room I can have then? That’s great Mr Benson. I was hoping now it’s all been wrapped up that I could get on with the job that you promised me. I should probably see if I can find Eliza as well,” he looked down, feeling saddened again. “Hopefully she wasn’t in Crystals tonight, but I’m sure she wi...”
Bill stood up. “Charlie, you promised yourself a job, not me.”
“What? But...”
“And you’ll be glad to know Eliza was not at Crystals tonight.” Bill reached across the desk and picked out a cigar. Biting the end off, he spat it casually on to the floor. “She was with Carter. Probably still there I don’t doubt.”
“At Carter’s? Why wo...” Charlie began to sense things were not quite going his way. Not going his way at all.
“Eliza very kindly informed Mr Carter of your ‘involvement’ with us Charlie.”
“What?” Charlie spluttered, glancing around at Jim. “The bitch!”
“It was under our instructions.” Bill continued.
Charlie frowned. What the hell? “But why. Wh...”
“As much as I despise Carter, he had the right to know what a snake in the fucking grass you are.” Bill’s voice rose and assumed a menacing growl. “And you really thought I’d want a two-faced bastard working for my firm and wait to be served up to the next fucker you thought a better deal did you?”
Seeing Jim rise from his chair, Charlie began to move from his seat only to be quickly pushed back firmly into his place. “But wait! I would never... I wouldn’t do that! I only set Carter up because that was what you wanted.”
Bill moved closer to Charlie’s face. “No boy, you suggested infiltrating yourself with the Carters, not I.”
“But...”
Bill smiled nastily. “Be quiet. Thanks for your help with this Charlie, but your work here is done.” Stepping back, he watched as Seth pulled a pistol from his waistband. Pushing the silencer against Charlie’s temple, he quickly released the trigger.
Blood and brains splattered up the wall as the muffled shot took Charlie out and Digger quickly threw a tarpaulin onto the floor, dragging the lifeless body on to it.
Bill walked back behind his desk and scribbled down a note on a piece of paper. Handing the note to Seth, he smiled. “Well done guys. Now if you could just do the delivery to Carter’s house, I’ll arrange for this place to be cleaned up in your absence.”
HEARING BILL CLAP HIS hands together twice loudly from next door, Dan took this as his signal and opened the door to the adjoining room. He looked at Charlie’s body lying on the tarpaulin. Oh shit!
“Come in lad,” Bill nodded towards the mess on the walls and the floor. “Get this lot back to normal will you?”
Dan stared at the bloody mess and suddenly realised exactly what his ‘involvement’ tonight had been about.
Bill placed his arm around Seth’s shoulder. “Right, once you’ve dropped him off make sure you get yourselves back here. I owe you both a drink.”
Dan stared mutely after Bill as he left the room and then watched whilst Digger and Jim lifted the tarpaulin containing Charlie off the floor and disappeared down the corridor, leaving him alone in the room without as much as a backwards glance.
Ok, so the upside was that he wouldn’t be lumbered with Charlie anymore, but he was going to have to find a way to get Jim and Digger out of his bloody house.
There was too much going on now that he didn’t like, or more to the point, understand. It was also quite obvious he wasn’t going to be made privy to anything and finally, he was scared fucking shitless.
ERNIE WOKE WITH A START as the telephone rang. He fumbled with the light on his bedside table and flicked the switch. Glancing at the clock he snatched the phone off its cradle. Who the hell was calling him at this time of night? It was almost 1 in the morning. This had better be good.
“Yes?” he snapped, propping himself up in bed and eyeing Eliza lying next to him, still sound asleep despite the loud ringing of the phone.
He’d have to be careful what he did with her this time he thought, eyeing her inflated breasts. Still, she was nice to look at and as long as he didn’t make her party to anything he was involved in this time and kept her at arm’s length, then why shouldn’t he enjoy her willing flesh?
Finally concentrating on what the voice was saying on the other end of the line, the blood drained from his face. “What? When?” This was impossible. “How many? I’m on my way.”
Slamming the receiver back down, Ernie jumped out of bed and quickly yanked his trousers on. “Eliza!” he roared. “Wake up!”
Eliza groggily opened one eye, her mind trying to adjust to the once familiar surroundings. She attempted to ensure there were no signs of disgust on her face as she looked at Ernie’s paunch hanging over his flaccid cock. “What?” she mumbled. “Ern, it’s late. Come back to bed.”
Ernie grabbed hold of Eliza’a shoulders. “Get up, you silly cow. Now!”
Pushing herself up with her elbows, Eliza scowled at Ernie. “What’s going on?”
Ernie’s eyes were wild with rage as he pulled his shirt on. “What’s going on? I’ll tell you what’s going on – some fucker’s torched my club!”
Eliza sat bolt upright. “What? When?”
“Tonight. It’s still burning. At least three of the girls have had it.”
“Oh my God!” Eliza cried, jumping out of bed. “What about the others?”
“How the fuck do I know? I’ve got to get down there. I need you to go to the Glint. Being as everyone there knew you were involved with Charlie, you can justify turning up.”
“Oh Jesus. Jesus...” Eliza r
epeated to herself. As much as she hated the dirty bunch of tramps she wouldn’t have seen this happen to them. She also sorely hoped Ernie hadn’t worked out she was also party to setting him up. “Who did this, Ernie?”
“Who do you fucking think?” Ernie roared, spittle flying from his mouth. “Fucking Benson that’s who, the fucking bastard!”
Eliza quickly pulled on her skirt. “Where’s Matt and Pete?”
“Probably asleep in the lounge as usual,” Ernie mumbled as he tied his shoes. “Now come on girl, I need to go and see exactly what’s left of my bastard club. You get in the car. I’ll tell Matt and Pete to come and join us.” he yelled.
Eliza fumbled with the door knob, her hands shaking like a leaf. She opened the front door and took a step onto the front porch and then froze. It was a good five seconds before she regained the lucidity to let out a blood-curdling scream.
Ernie rushed out to find Eliza wide-eyed, her hands covering her mouth as she leant against the door frame sobbing uncontrollably. Pushing her to one side, his eyes came to rest on the unwrapped tarpaulin showcasing Charlie’s body, a bullet hole in his head visible for all to see.
“Shit!” Ernie muttered angrily and bent down seeing the piece of paper pinned to Charlie’s jacket. His eyes narrowed to thin slits as he read the contents of the note:
Didn’t want you to get the last word where this cunt was concerned, so I’ve taken that away from you as well as your club.
Enjoy the rest of your night.
Ripping the note away from the pin, Ernie screwed the paper up into a ball, his face twisted with anger. “Matt! Pete! Get rid of this will you. Eliza, get yourself in the fucking car. NOW!” he roared.
Ernie stomped off down the pathway towards his Jaguar with Eliza staggering haphazardly behind.
Yanking the drivers’ door open, he jumped behind the wheel and fired the engine. This was the final fucking insult. That was IT! He’d be taking revenge on Benson. Personally this time.